CarRecallWatchThe 1996 Mazda Protege has 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA, including 24 crashes, 1 fire, 24 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Air Bags (25 reports).
1996 Mazda Protege recalls
Ignition Switch Can Overheat and Cause a Fire
Grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and cause the switch to overheat.
Most common 1996 Mazda Protege problems
Problem areas named in the 70 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 25 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 |
| Power Train | 8 |
| Seat Belts | 7 |
| Equipment | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Visibility | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
What owners report
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE - THE MAZDA PROTG MENTIONED UNDER "SUBJECT" OF THIS E-MAIL - ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING TOUCHED ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN THE FALL OF 1996. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED INTENSE RUMBLING WHEN IN DRIVE AND WAITING AT IDLE AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. ON ONE OF SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE LATTER PROBLEM, A YOUNG ATTENDANT AT THE DEALER (MAZDA MAPLE SHADE IN MAPLE SHADE, NEW JERSEY) MENTIONED - APPARENTLY INADVERTENTLY - THAT THE RUMBLING WAS A "FACTORY DEFECT". I NEVER MENTIONED THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM SINCE I HAD ALWAYS MANAGED TO PUT ON THE BREAKS FIRMLY WHENEVER IT OC
MY 1996 MAZDA PROTEGE LX (1.5 LITER ENGINE) SUFFERS FROM SUCH EXTREME ENGINE VIBRATION THAT THE CAR HAS RECENTLY BECOME PRACTICALLY UNDRIVEABLE DESPITE ITS LOW MILEAGE OF 83,000K AND A GOOD MAINTENANCE HISTORY. THE CAR SHAKES SEVERELY WHEN STARTING, JERKS SEVERELY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND IS SURGING ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLY AT VARIOUS TIMES. IT IS UNSAFE AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ALL ENGINE MOUNTS MUST BE REPLACED AT THIS TIME. IN LOOKING AT THE VECHICLE HISTORY, THERE HAS BEEN MANUFACTURER SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT CAUSES UNSAFE CONDITIONS AND UNDUE BURDEN AND EXPENSE TO CONSUMERS. THE ESTIMATE FUTURE EXPE
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, WHICH CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION WITH TWO OTHER VEHICLES. CONSUMER'S HEAD IMPACTED THE STEERING WHEEL , THE SEAT BACK, AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. AFTER BEING INSPECTED CONSUMER CONCLUDED THAT TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK
WHILE DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAY AIR CONDITIONER SEIZED BREAKING BELT AND CAUSING ME TO LOSE POWER STEERING
1996 Mazda Protege questions
Does the 1996 Mazda Protege have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 1996 Mazda Protege: Ignition Switch Can Overheat and Cause a Fire. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Mazda Protege?
Based on 70 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (25), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (9), Power Train (8).
How do I check if a recall on my 1996 Mazda Protege has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.